Prevalence of hepatitis C virus genotypes in southern Italy.

HCV is ubiquitous. In 50% of all cases it causes chronic hepatitis that often evolves into liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Recently HCV has been classified in 5 genotypes by Okamoto.

Detection of hepatitis C virus-RNA by polymerase chain reaction in dental surgeries.

The mean prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Italy is 0.87%. It reaches 2% in Campania, Southern Italy.

Prevalence of circulating immunecomplexes and variations of complement fractions in HBV, HDV and HCV infections: statistical analysis and clinical correlations.

Increased levels of circulating immunecomplexes (CIC) have been demonstrated in the serum of patients with HBV infection and HDV superinfection. This finding appears to be correlated to the disease's activity. In this report serum levels of two fractions of CIC (CIC-Clq and CIC-C3d) were evaluated by ELISA method in a sample of 110 subjects with hepatitis infection (HBV, HCV, HDV).

HCV-RNA survival as detected by PCR in the environment.

We have shown that HCV-RNA is resistant to drying at room temperature for at least 48 hours. This is a factor which could influence the diffusion of the virus in the general population, which epidemiological studies have shown to be surprisingly high. It should be considered in evaluating the importance of the inapparent parenteral routes of transmission.